Strong Winds, High Temperatures In Southland Prompt Red Flag Warning

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Strong winds and high temperatures in the Southland over the next few days has prompted a fire danger warning.

A red flag warning will take effect at 2 a.m. Wednesday and continue until 8 p.m. Thursday.

The warning will affect the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Los Angeles County mountains, Angeles National Forest, coastal areas, Orange County and the Santa Clarita, San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys.

Parking restrictions will be imposed at 2 a.m. Wednesday in Pasadena to ensure fire vehicles can get through narrow roads.

Winds were expected to reach 70 miles per hour in mountain areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Gusts of up to 45 miles per hour were expected through Thursday.

A high wind warning will remain in effect until 3 p.m. Thursday.

“The strongest winds will be Wednesday morning, especially in the hills of eastern Ventura County and the Highway 14 corridor in western Los Angeles County,” according to the NWS. “Gusty winds are expected to continue into Thursday, however slightly lower than Wednesday.”

In Orange County, strong winds on Tuesday downed power lines, which sparked a blaze in Placentia, toppled trees and caused outages in Anaheim and Santa Ana.

KCAL9’s Stacey Butler reported that firefighters will be on high alert in the coming days.

“We’re asking everybody to be prepared. Right now, take the time…make sure you have a plan, so that if a fire does hit your area, your community, you know what to do,” Capt. Steve Concialdi of the OC Fire Authority said.